After the mill levy failed in late May, Teton Medical Center has been searching for ways to stay afloat, and keep its status as a 24-hour critical care facility. At last night's board meeting, a motion was passed, allowing TMC to move forward with collaboration with other clinics, rather than reaching a management agreement with Benefis.

"The meeting was positive," said Teton Medical Center Chief Financial Officer Bryan Chalmers. "We will continue to work together and move forward with a collaborative model for the future of Teton county."

This buys TMC six to nine more months to find a clinic model and a solution that supports the hospital and the needs of the community. As well as to keep its status as a 24-hour critical access facility.

According to medical center officials, last night's motion was a win for the community because it promotes stability of a collaborative clinic model, rather than a competitive one.

Chalmers says the ultimate goal is to attract more doctors to TMC. Currently, there is only a physician on duty on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Community members have mixed feelings about the future of the medical center.

"Yeah we need the hospital," said one Choteau resident. "It's difficult to go all the way to Great Falls."

"We have people who need medical care, especially from the old folks home," said another resident. "So we need somewhere close to go."

"We don't use our hospital the right way," said another resident of Teton County. Maybe we should not be a 24-hour facility anymore."

"Our hope is to work with the providers in the county and identify what the need is going to be if there is a need," Chalmers said. "Will there be a mill levy requirement if everybody is working together and what will that be?

There are still many unanswered questions about the future of Teton Medical Center. In the meantime, it will continue on its current path to collaborate with Great Falls Clinic, Fairfield Medical Clinic, Moore Medical Clinic and Cenefis, in hopes of finding a single clinic solution.